Category Captains: Body Part Chews and Premium Foods

Body Part Chews

When looking to give pets something to chew on, rawhide used to be the go-to. But throughout the years, there have been increased concerns about choking, intestinal blockage due to its low digestibility and ingredient safety for dogs. In the wake of pet parents worrying about rawhide, many have turned to the body parts category as a great option for alternative chews. Jones Natural Chews offers an ideal choice for owners seeking natural, healthy dog treats made from animal products that are 100 percent raised and sourced from US packers and ranchers. 

Laura Jones Wells, President of Jones Natural Chews, shared, “Many pet parents also use body part chews as an opportunity to add variety, protein or textural variety to their dogs’ diets. I believe there is continued growth potential, as these newer customers become more familiar with the category, the ‘ick’ factor—that some experience—will wear off and they will explore some of the more interesting options offered.” 

With so many different treats, chews and options on the market, pet owners can feel a little overwhelmed. But Jones Natural Chews even makes owner education easy to digest. “Chew Guides, that help store owners and employees walk their customers through the selection process, are our most helpful tools. Repeat purchases are the target, so making sure that a customer feels confident in their choice is an important part of the sales process,” reported Wells.

Jones Natural Chews has been family-owned and pet-focused for decades. The Jones history as meat cutters and butchers in the USA can be traced back 16 decades to Stephen Jones, a meat cutter in 1859 in Rome, NY. Wells explained, “We have been selling chews for more than 35 years but began working in the meat cutting industry long before that. The quality standards we set for ourselves have helped us stand out, and pet store owners appreciate our background and the stringent measures we follow in our processes. Having an open mind to collaboration has helped as well; we cut, cook and package so we can be flexible.”

Pets are often treated like members of the family and as a result, pet owners are searching for more high-quality ingredients like they’d serve at the table. The best cuts of meat also produce the best bones, which has made Jones a company to go to when looking for superior chews. “We take a measured approach to everything we do. Handcrafting our bones, chews and treats means that we need stringent safety processes in place when cutting, when considering a new ingredient and when evaluating our suppliers,” Wells stated. “We’ve never compromised on our belief in the importance of using natural ingredients that are sourced in the USA and that has served us well. Pet parents trust a wholesome, clean treat from a family-run company and dogs absolutely love the flavor and chewing experience that our meaty treats offer.”

Jones Natural Chews is leading the category thanks to its highest quality, USA-raised, sourced and manufactured natural dog treats and chews. Dogs get long-lasting and healthy-tasting enjoyment. Owners get to feel good about the chewing experience they provide. 

Premium Foods

NutriSource entered the premium pet food space motivated by the idea that pets were entitled to exceptional food made with real ingredients that targeted specific health issues. The company launched its Good 4 Life system designed to boost pets’ total body health to soothe common gut issues and guarantee pets received all the nutrients available in their food.

“Our entry into the premium foods category was driven by a deep-rooted belief that pets deserve better—better ingredients, better health outcomes and better trust between brands and pet parents,” said Shopper Marketing Coordinator Allison DeLisle. “As a family-owned company based in Perham, MN, we’ve always been guided by values like integrity, transparency and community. Those values gave us the confidence to step into a competitive category and lead with purpose. At the time, many ‘premium’ pet foods were focusing heavily on ingredient lists, but not necessarily on how those ingredients worked together to support total-body health. We saw an unmet need for solutions that prioritized digestibility, gut health and nutrient absorption, which inspired the development of our proprietary Good 4 Life system. That system allowed us to go beyond basic nutrition and offer functional benefits that make a real difference in pets’ lives. We take pride in being a company that independent retailers can count on and that pet parents can trust to put pets’ health first.”

NutriSource stands out from competitors by taking a holistic approach to addressing pet nutrition. The company’s Good 4 Life system, which supports gut health, immunity and well-being, has helped NutriSource to gain the trust of retail partners and pet parents. NutriSource is intent on easing pet parents’ concerns that their pets’ health is being responsibly and carefully tended to. “At NutriSource, we understand that pet owners in the premium foods category are looking for more than just high-quality ingredients; they’re seeking trust, transparency and tangible results they can see in their pets’ health,” DeLisle said. “What sets us apart is our holistic approach to nutrition. Through our proprietary Good 4 Life system, we go beyond basic nutrition to support gut health, immunity and overall well-being, areas that pet owners are increasingly educated about and invested in. We pride ourselves on being family-owned and community-focused. That creates a level of integrity and consistency in our product development that resonates with pet parents looking for brands that are both premium and principled. We’re not just selling pet food, we’re offering peace of mind.”

This year, NutriSource launched innovative products namely its PureVita Grain-Free Wet Recipes and Amplifulls supplements and unveiled its Power the Purr campaign featuring goat milk-infused cat kibble. These achievements are proof NutriSource is here to continuously improve the lives of pets through targeting gut health, improved digestibility and guaranteeing pets have all the nutrients they need to live their best lives. 

“This past year has been an exciting one for NutriSource, filled with innovation and momentum across our product lines,” DeLisle said. “One of the standout moments was the launch of our PureVita Grain Free wet recipes in cans. These formulas offer limited-ingredient, high-quality nutrition for pets with sensitivities, and they’ve been incredibly well-received by both retailers and pet parents looking for clean, wholesome options. We were proud to introduce Amplifulls™, our new supplement brand that helps dog parents target specific wellness needs with confidence and science-backed formulations in gummies and soft chew formulas. We also rolled out our new Power the Purr campaign — a huge step forward in how we’re speaking directly to cat parents. This launch included an exciting innovation: goat milk from New Zealand infused into two of our cat kibble SKUs which supports digestibility and adds functional benefits cats really respond to. All of these launches reflect what drives us at NutriSource — a passion for improving pets’ lives through purposeful, premium nutrition. From our product development to our marketing, it’s all about helping pets and their people live healthier, happier lives together.”